Patent US4077643A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4077643A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drop frame trailer
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-07-12
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Granted: 1978-03-07
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Expires: 1996-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A utility trailer has a frame which may be lowered to ground level at both the front and rear portions of the trailer to permit easy access and to facilitate loading and unloading of heavy vehicles or other items. The trailer frame is attached to a U-shaped axle which in turn is connected to a wheel suspension support. The wheel suspension may be raised or lowered by rotation of the wheel suspension about the axle allowing the rear of the trailer frame to be raised or lowered. The front of the trailer frame is connected to a cable controlled by a winch which will permit the lowering or raising of the front part of the trailer frame. Locking pins are employed to lock the suspension and the front portion of the trailer frame in place during travel.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean E. Bates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:41
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/06; B62D53/061; B62D53/062; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/06; B60P3/10; B60P3/1033; B60P1/00; B60P1/02; B60P1/025; B60P1/027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
288 words
A utility trailer, comprising; a frame for holding an item to be transported; means for suspending said frame from two or more wheels said suspension means comprising lever means pivotally connected at one end thereof to said frame and having a spring means connecting said lever means to an axle, which axle connects said wheels together for raising or lowering a rear portion of said frame in response to a force applied at a free end of said lever means; a yoke having a hitch connected to a first end thereof and having second and third ends thereof pivotally connected to points on said frame between a point of attachment of said suspension means and a forward point on said frame, said yoke allowing a forward portion of said frame to be raised and lowered independent of said rear portion of said frame said yoke device being of sufficient length to allow said forward portion of said frame to be lowered to ground level with minimum depression from the horizontal of said yoke device at said hitch connected to a towing vehicle; a first winch mounted on a forward portion of said frame for controlling a first tension cable said first tension cable connected to said free-end of said lever means for raising or lowering a rear portion of said frame as said winch is operated; a second winch mounted on a forward portion of said yoke having a second tension cable wound thereon, an end of said second tension cable attached to a point on said forward portion of said frame for controlling the raising and lowering of said forward portion of said frame independently from the raising and lowering of said rear portion of said frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
288 words
A utility trailer, comprising; a frame for holding an item to be transported; means for suspending said frame from two or more wheels said suspension means comprising lever means pivotally connected at one end thereof to said frame and having a spring means connecting said lever means to an axle, which axle connects said wheels together for raising or lowering a rear portion of said frame in response to a force applied at a free end of said lever means; a yoke having a hitch connected to a first end thereof and having second and third ends thereof pivotally connected to points on said frame between a point of attachment of said suspension means and a forward point on said frame, said yoke allowing a forward portion of said frame to be raised and lowered independent of said rear portion of said frame said yoke device being of sufficient length to allow said forward portion of said frame to be lowered to ground level with minimum depression from the horizontal of said yoke device at said hitch connected to a towing vehicle; a first winch mounted on a forward portion of said frame for controlling a first tension cable said first tension cable connected to said free-end of said lever means for raising or lowering a rear portion of said frame as said winch is operated; a second winch mounted on a forward portion of said yoke having a second tension cable wound thereon, an end of said second tension cable attached to a point on said forward portion of said frame for controlling the raising and lowering of said forward portion of said frame independently from the raising and lowering of said rear portion of said frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus accoring to claim 1, further comprising means for connecting said utility trailer to towing vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A utility trailer according to claim 1, further comprising means for locking said frame in a raised position for transportation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-06 | 1981-09-05 | 1982-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-06 | 1985-09-05 | 1986-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-06 | 1989-09-05 | 1990-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |